You really have to focus on the details in this to know what's going on but once you do it is so worth it. The art was amazing and the meaning behind the flowers in the bouguet nearly made me cry. The southern gothic feeling of the visuals ties in really well to the darker aspects of the story, honestly so glad that folklore of the south is getting a lot of attention recently. Will DEFINETLY be buying this in print when it's out. Absolutely wonderful.

The Cutting Garden instantly pulled me in with its absolutely gorgeous cover, it’s one of those that makes you stop and stare before you even know what the story is about. And honestly, the inside doesn’t disappoint. The watercolor style is just stunning. It perfectly captures the softness and fragility of the natural world shown in the comic, giving everything this dreamy, almost ethereal vibe.

The story itself feels very mysterious at first. You’re not given everything right away, which I really liked. As you move forward, more pieces slowly fall into place, and that sense of discovery keeps you engaged. There’s this quiet tension running underneath the surface that makes you want to keep turning the pages.

That said, there were moments when the pacing felt a bit rushed. Sometimes it seemed like the story got shy and quickly jumped to the next scene instead of staying a little longer in the emotional weight of the current one. I would’ve loved a bit more time to sit with certain moments.

Overall, though, it’s a beautifully illustrated and intriguing read, delicate, moody, and definitely memorable.

Amazing read!!! The book is breathtaking that i couldn’t stop reading it!! The art, the storyline, the characters took all my attention away!! I wonder what adeil is. That part was vague but i feel sad for her as she decay like that… she reunited josette with her daughter even after a long time…i love everything about the story. The way the story was written. I want moreee something like this!!!
The art are sooooo gorgeous!!

A poignant, beautifully illustrated graphic novel. A story of unlikely friendships, of running away, of growing apart, of a mission to reunite a mother with her daughter, one achieved and celebrated with letting go entirely. Haunting and quiet, the story builds tension slowly, the set up unusual and sad, then the story beginning with violence and running and distance and desperation. In the middle there is peace, glorious and settled, flowers bloom and food is abundant and their relationship is good. Then the spiral, the fall, the distance and the finale. It is brilliantly paced for the highest impact, devastating and strange and hopeful.

A beautiful, unique tale, stunningly illustrated and masterfully told.

My first ever graphic novel and it was actually pretty cool. The cover is beautiful, the graphics in the inside where very well done and very beautiful. The story itself was very intriguing, it had me hooked from the start wanting to know what was going to happen next. Wish it was longer though. I wanted more from it. But it was a really good read.

Una giovane fiorista sta chiudendo il suo negozio quando una ragazzina, silenziosa e impassibile, le chiede un mazzo di fiori. Sarà troppo tardi l'indomani, dice - e mentre i fiori vengono scelti e composti dalle mani esperte della fioraia, le racconta una storia.
Una storia d'amore? Forse. Una storia di morte? Di sicuro.
Una storia sulla bellezza e la caducità, e su come tutto sia destinato a finire. Ma come solo dalla fine possa nascere altra bellezza.
Una fiaba mostruosa e raffinata, piena di sottintesi, in cui conta più il non detto di quello che viene messo sulla pagina, sia per quanto riguarda l'amore che per quanto riguarda l'orrore; con testi delicati e tavole di struggente, malinconica bellezza, da esplorare continuamente, da gustarsi particolare per particolare.
Unico difetto: il carattere poco leggibile, che costringe a risvegliarsi da quella che è quasi un'ipnosi per decifrare parole e frasi.
Per il resto, impeccabile.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is a beautiful and haunting paranormal gothic horror graphic novel.

Set in early twentieth-century French Quarter New Orleans, a strange young girl named Adeil walks into a flower shop and tells a dark and captivating tale. While the woman makes an arrangement, Adeil begins to weave an unbearable story, tying the lives of the florist, a woman named Josette, and Adeil together.

I adored this graphic novel. The stunning watercolor illustrations were phenomenal and captured both the beauty and the macabre aspects of the story with a timeless quality. The plot unfolds slowly, bit by bit, much like the bouquet coming together. It was chilling at times, and I even got goosebumps at one point. Darcy Van Poelgeest and Erin Connally are both new to me, but I hope they collaborate on more projects. I can’t wait to check out more of their work.

Art: 5/5
Plot: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
My Enjoyment: 5/5

This was a beautiful literary piece in a graphic novel format with gorgeous watercolor style artwork.

The storytelling is very abstract and purposefully ambiguous, it’s not always easy to assemble a clear meaning from it. The context is obviously symbolic though, which opens the door to several possible interpretations of its deeper themes.

Personally, I wish some parts had been a little more hand holding or slightly clearer in terms of meaning, but the overall experience still felt very immersive.

Amazing story, I loved the artwork and Adeils and Josettes relationship! The artwork was soft and faint compared to the stark contrast of the harsh story contents and I was a little confused in parts but then it all made sense

This was beautiful, from the stunning artwork to the slowly built, haunting story itself. This was so atmospheric, I wouldn't mind ten novels in this world!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

The Cutting Garden is a haunting gothic graphic novel that blends dreamlike artwork with slow, atmospheric storytelling.

The story unfolds in a quiet, eerie world where subtle horror and emotional tension build steadily beneath the surface. Rather than relying on shock or violence, the narrative leans into mood and character, allowing the mystery and unease to grow naturally.

What works especially well is the book’s restraint. The watercolor artwork creates a surreal, almost dreamlike atmosphere, while the slow pacing gives the story time to breathe and build tension. The combination of delicate visuals and complex characters leaves a lasting impression long after the final page.

Some readers may feel the story drags in places, but the deliberate pacing strengthens the haunting tone and reinforces the dreamlike quality of the narrative.

If you’re a fan of gothic storytelling and atmospheric horror, this one is well worth reading.

⭐ 5/5 stars

'There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you'

A haunting story about love and family. Adeil comes to the florist shop to get a bouquet for a funeral. As she waits she shares a story that will change the owner's life.

I really enjoyed the story. The mystery unravels slowly as Adeil tells her story. The author gives us glimpses of the scenes leaving the interpretation to the reader. There were subtle horror undertones concerning Adeil and what happened to the missing people. The watercolor art was amazing and made the story even more atmospheric.

A beautiful watercolour southern gothic graphic novel.
There is a deeply classic feel to this very beautiful book, which reminded me of 1800s vampire short stories, the ones that came out before Dracula and are more about atmosphere and "Romanticism" (the literary movement).
I really enjoyed it, this is the type of thing that is totally up my alley.
The flaws for a modern text is the omniscient narrator, built like an old tale it makes sense, but it creates a big distance with the reader. Also, answers will never really be given, it's not the point, but you can have fun guessing at what it means.
I especially liked the illustration style that reminded me a lot of Isabelle Dethan's work and recommend this book to people who enjoy the old gothic tales in the spirit of The monkey paw.

A dark, beautiful gothic meditation on the relationship between mothers and daughters that was beautifully rendered and was written with a lot of thought and feeling. This was a beautiful, sometimes heartbreaking read which I will remember for a very long time. (Full rating 4.5 out of 5 stars)

Rating: 5 stars
Rating explanation: would recommend, enjoyed it, will be buying the book

Okay… to be honest, I can’t piece together everything I just read and I will definitely need to read it again. But it was one of the most intriguing, beautiful, thought provoking books I’ve had the pleasure of reading.

You get depth into the characters that… doesn’t help to make them transparent, yet you unexpectedly relate to them through what is shared about them. The storytelling is so unique, and that’s what really makes it a good read.

Check out @keelykanread for more comments on the book :)

The most beautifully illustrated graphic novel I have ever read. The story is charming in a peaceful, haunting kind of way—there’s an elegance to what is left unspoken. I always find myself pleasantly surprised when shorter stories feel so impactful, and this is one of those instances. A worthwhile read, though the cursive can be a little difficult to decipher at times, so it’s best accompanied by your reading glasses.

Incredible, I almost have no words.
I’m not a huge graphic novel reader but I devoured this in one sitting and am thrilled to have read it. A beautiful, haunting story of loss and decay framed by the most stunning muted watercolour illustrations, an absolute joy to read and absorb.
A small note on accessibility, the font choice was beautiful but maybe a little hard to read at times.

“I think men decide what’s best for themselves, and women have grown accustomed to letting them”

I went into this story blind, completely drawn in by the cover.

This is a beautiful, heart wrenching story. The illustrations are absolutely stunning.

I’d say this is not for those that like everything tied up into a pretty bow in the end. There are mysteries left for you to interpret.

Thank you to Image Comics and NetGalley for providing me an ARC of The Cutting Garden, this is one that’s going to stick with me.

This was my first approved graphic novel ARC on Netgalley and I'm Delighted!!

The art style was so timelessly beautiful and every scene was truly a painting that felt like it'd come alive off the pages. It was so atmospheric, caught between a fairytale, a horror, and a coming of age novel, which I found so fascinating and engaging because I genuinely had no idea what was around the corner.

This left me staring off into the distance, piecing together the pages I just consumed. What an insanely beautiful, heartbreaking, and even more so heartwarming story. The art is some of the most magnificent I've seen. The last 10 percent had me fighting back tears with a ball of emotion in my throat. It gives so much, while also missing just enough. But it works. It doesn't need to spell these things out because you just know. You can infer the character of Adeil from her patterns and response to jealousy. You can see the distance that her nature has created but you can also see the immense amount of love that exists, even towards the end. You can see it, feel it, both building and unraveling. Absolutely phenomenal.

Thank you to the author, the artist, the publisher, and NetGalley for the free emotional torment in exchange for my honest review!

The cover and illustrations are so beautiful.

The story is dreamlike and sometimes strange.

I think people who like fantasy would like this.

The Cutting Garden by Darcy Van Poelgeest is a visually striking graphic novel that blends atmosphere with subtle tension. 🌿
The artwork is detailed and immersive, enhancing a story that unfolds at a steady pace and leans into mood and symbolism. While the narrative can feel understated at times, it creates a lingering, slightly eerie tone that stays with you.
A solid choice for readers who enjoy thoughtful, visually driven graphic novels. 📖✨

Thank you to NetGalley and Image Comics for the e-ARC of The Cutting Garden!
4 / 5 ⭐
A strange bouquet of words about the dignity of decay. The art is truly stunning but I wish the narrative was explored more deeply, Part of that might have been accessibility concerns with the ARC; as others have said, parts were hard to read.

This was a fantastic story that really emulated Interviews with a Vampire and would be a great addition to any fantasy or gothic readers collections. The art was beautiful as well and really added to the complexity of the story. I’d love a bit more on Adeils character but other than that I have no notes.

In an age of AI and monotonous art, it was absolutely lovely to read this story and savor in the lovingly painted watercolor illustrations throughout the entire book. It could not have been any small effort to illustrate so many panels yet the artwork remained soft and human serving as feathery wings for the cozy botanical horror of the story. Haunting and simultaneously comforting. What a gem of a find.

Creator, keep up the good work! Your artistry and vision is appreciated.

I absolutely LOVE this graphic novel. It is so raw and touches my heart. As a mother, I can relate to the main character so much. I never cry over a story, but this one had me teary eyed at the end.

Not to mention, the artwork is absolutely stunning. With breaks in the story, there are drawn plants with the names of the plants. Absolutely breathtaking.

Not too often when I say I will be getting a copy for my library, but this one is a must.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Image Comics for this amazing graphic novel. #TheCuttingGarden

Beautiful and full of longing, this follows the stories of a young girl looking for a sense of belonging in the world. This was heartbreakingly beautiful.

Beautifully illustrated with a lush dichotomy of light to darkness. Veil thin, ethereal touches meet pages somehow illuminated with lush blacks - all lending perfectly to the subject material and botanical undergrowth.

Wow is really all I can say! The Cutting Garden brought me to tears by the end. It is easy to rate it a 5/5 stars. The novel has a great flow & GORGEOUS imagery, Erin Connally really outdid herself with the illustrations! They feel perfect for the story and are all incredibly atmospheric. I was blown away by their beauty during my reading.

Overall, the story was so thoughtful & poignant, I had a hard time not reading it all in one go! I will be purchasing a copy for myself when it comes out, I could see myself reading it again & again & again. I will be seeking out more graphic novels by Darcy Van Poelgeest for sure!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

This was incredible. The art style was gorgeous and the story was deep and dark and twisty and tragically beautiful. This is going to have a lot of crossover appeal between teens and adults. This is a graphic novel that is going to stick with me for a while as I try to digest the ending.

The cutting garden is beautiful in every way, the watercolor art is PHENOMINAL and adds to the story telling in the perfect way. The southern gothic theme was incredibly unique and immediately grasped my attention. The story weaves itself in the most interesting narrative, I was unsure of where it was going but followed along happily. Everything about this story reminds me of why I love graphic novels.

This was such a beautiful novel. The art was gorgeous and the story moving. The meaning behind the flowers was such a lovely and thoughtful detail. There is a deliberate vagueness to the story that I personally think worked very well.

Absolutely stunning artwork. I especially loved the page layouts and framing as well as the botanical illustrations. I’m sure someone more versed in the meanings of flowers would find significance in them too! The story had a floating, dreamy quality that carried me along. Haunting and beautiful.

How utterly enchanting is this book?!

The illustrations by Erin Connally are nothing short of breathtaking—so intricate, so lush, so alive. I found myself lingering on every page, completely captivated. The botanical artwork alone is pure magic, each plant rendered with such care and quiet wonder.

The story carries a beautifully melancholic tone—mystical, tragic, and heavy in places—yet it never loses its sense of wonder. It’s the kind of tale that lingers with you, like a soft echo you can’t quite shake.

And the cover? Absolutely stunning. Truly, every single aspect of this book feels lovingly crafted.

In fact, I’m convinced I need to buy a copy for my mother—who normally has no interest in comics whatsoever—because I’m certain even she will fall under its spell.

"I think men decide what's best for themselves, and women have grown accustomed to letting them"

The cutting garden is an absolutely gorgeous and breathtaking comic that I simply couldn't let down. I was first attracted by the splendid cover and was absolutely glad to have been approved for an ARC. And then I opened it, and it felt like releasing a breath I wasn't aware I was holding. And then like, spending the entire reading holding it again.

The atmosphere was gorgeous in this, with dark vibes that leave you a little bit lost and require you to pay lots of attention to the details. The way the plot is constructed works marvellously; it makes us dive deep into the story, intrigued by those characters and the tale that is being told.

My favourite part of this was, however, the art. It is simply breathtaking; that's the only word adapted to it. The watercolour style is magnificent and fits the vibes of the story perfectly, as well as the horror elements.

In the end, this is a splendidly illustrated comic with a splendid story, and I will definitely not forget about it. It was gorgeous and deeply memorable! I am infinitely grateful to Image Comics and Netgalley for sending me an e-ARC. This beautiful book releases on September 29th, but you can already preorder it!

This story is so beautiful, from the illustrations to the characters journeys. The art in this book is stunning, I Iove all the plant and botanical illustrations. The mood is very well set, I felt like I was set in front of the fire being told this story. I really enjoyed reading this and would definitely recommend anyone who likes stories about found family, mother-daughter relationships or just beautiful artwork to give this book a try!

Thank you NetGalley, Image Comics, and Darcy Van Poelgeest for this ARC.

The Cutting Garden’s cover is what instantly drew me in. I love the botanical horror elements to this graphic novel and how it’s the perfect amount of dark and mysterious. The water color illustration is breathtaking and adds such a gentleness to the story, It’s the themes of love and sacrifice throughout the story that make it so beautiful.

A hauntingly tender and creepily comforting read that I highly recommend.

5/5

The Cutting Garden is a stunning work of art and a Southern Gothic horror story, all rolled into one. It opens one evening in New Orleans, at a flower shop about to close. A girl, Adeil, tells the florist she needs a funeral arrangement for a funeral beginning at dawn, and she has a story to tell while the florist works.

As the florist adds flowers (as illustrated by beautiful botanical illustrations), the story unfolds bit by bit. Adeil meets a lonely woman, Josette, in an alley late one night and convinces her to leave town, heading to a farmhouse in the countryside to escape the city. Suffice it to say that mysterious things happen, and the nature of Adeil comes to light. A haunting yet satisfying ending seals the deal.

Thanks to NetGalley and Image Comics for the advanced reading copy of The Cutting Garden. I know that I will be standing in line at my local bookstore to get a physical copy when this comes out in September. I'm putting it on my calendar right now.

I found the Cutting Garden by Darcy Van Poelgeest to be an incredibly tender and beautiful gothic tale. The art elevated it to another level.

What incredible art work, some panels I wished I got place on my wall forever. The perfect balance of horror and existential dread. Will be recommending to my friends upon it release.

I was going through my NetGalley approvals and stumbled upon The Cutting Garden by Darcy Van Polgeest. Southern gothic vibes were immediate upon looking at that cover and the synopsis. The story is chef's kiss, and the artwork blew me away. Having flower diagrams in between scenes was great; I loved it!

Adiel and Josette! I love how it is never addressed in word, but there is an understanding of what Adiel is. The ending is purely beautiful!

Thank you to NetGalley, Darcy Van Polgeest, and Image Comics for allowing me to be an early reader! Absolutely will be purchasing a copy when this is released!

Tender, haunting, bittersweet.

Wow! This was an absolutely beautiful read.

The Cutting Garden explores themes of motherhood, connection, and personal growth in a gorgeously illustrated Southern Gothic setting. Adeil, a mysterious girl, walks into a flower shop and begins telling her story to a young florist. As the woman arranges a bouquet, one flower at a time, Adeil shares her story in pieces, gradually conjuring a tale that draws strangers together over time, in ways I found unexpected and moving.

This was such a unique read. I loved the relationship between the two main characters, and the atmosphere felt rich and immersive. The writing was not always the easiest to read, so be aware of this. But the watercolour artwork is perfect. It really drew me in. Will definitely be buying a copy for my collection.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance reader copy of this work in exchange for an honest review.

This comic was so cool. The art style was very watercolor heavy. The muted colors really added another layer of melancholy to the already pretty sad story.

The Cutting Garden is set in 1930s New Orleans and follows a story about the love between a mother and daughter and how we are changed in the absence of either. An idyllic life in a beautiful, dilapidated cottage in the middle of Louisiana shifts when a tension builds in the growing apart of the two characters.

I loved how certain aspects of the story were never outright stated. We got to read into it and come up with our own reasons why these characters acted the way they did.

I would definitely recommend this, if not for the story (which I do think you would love), then for the beautiful art that goes along with it.

This left me stunned, not only was the art immaculate but the story as well. At first, you're a bit confused but as the story progresses, things start to beautifully come together. In the end we can only guess who and what Adeil is. I would suggest this to anyone who enjoys Southern Gothic.

This is a graphic novel I plan on purchasing for my personal collection and I could read it over and over again. It was very haunting and I love how the illustrations and writing foreshadow the ending in many different ways. The illustrations were also very beautiful and this is the perfect spooky read!

Absolutely divine! With the soft lines and beauty of Little Bird, lyrical Victorian writing, and a gothic story to both make you shudder and smile. This first collaboration hopefully won’t be the last for our two creators.
The Cutting Garden is at once a vampire gothic story, a commentary on loneliness, and a reminder that not all monsters are monstrous. Even the most vicious of killers can still desire something softer in life; a connection with another, and someone to care for them.
With mild overtones borrowed from Interview with the Vampire; and yet wholly its own story and narrative, The Cutting Garden immerses us in a slow, methodical, perfect Victorian gothic story with just enough blood to sate a child vampire.

Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.

A beautiful and haunting tale of mother-daughter bonds. The Cutting Garden strikes the heartstrings with minimal dialogue but stunning, atmospheric art. The tale is told as much in picture as words (not always the case in graphic novels) and I adored the watercolor style. The ending in particular was shocking and tender, a satisfying conclusion to Adielle's tale. The digital edition was crisp, but I cannot wait to see this in print.

Told in beautiful watercolour art, this is a touching story of motherhood, oppression, found family, and ,in some respects, trauma. The story has a gentle flow to it, and requires that the reader pay attention, which makes a nice change from a lot of media today that remind you of the main plot points every few scenes. Things are left intentionally vague in some parts, as that seems to be how some characters are experiencing events. You will find yourselves fully immersed in the story, and there is far more going on than would appear at a brief glace. A beautiful read both visually and emotionally and one that deserves to be hyped.

Thank you Netgalley, Erin Connally, Darcy Van Poelgeest, and Image Comics for an eARC of the CUtting Garden in exchange for an honest review!

First and foremost: stunning, breathtaking artwork. I've never picked up a watercolor-based graphic novel before, and the Cutting Garden made me realize that I need to add more to my TBR.

I will say, however, that the font made it a bit difficult to read (I was also reading on my computer, where you cannot zoom in or out). If you cannot read cursive or you have visual imperfections, you might not pick this up.

I cannot wait to read whatever book these authors come out with next!

The cutting garden by Darcy Van Poelgeest and Erin Connally is a southern gothic graphic novel that reminds us life’s beauty is in its brevity.

Adel walks into a New Orleans florist shop one evening requesting an arrangement for a funeral tomorrow morning. Moved by the girl’s plight, the florist agrees. Adel weaves her story of flight, of love and loss and all that has brought her to this moment, as the florist works to make the perfect arrangement.

Botanical Cuttings is melancholic and plays out like a fever dream. Life, like a garden, is made up of seasons. Seed to sprout to maturity to decay, this is the order of which all living things abide. We nourish the seedling and sprout, we cherish the bloom and we mourn the decay even though we know it is coming. That it must come so that the seeds can bloom again. And we put ourselves through this heartache willingly, through life, through love, because it is the order of things. If flowers were forever in bloom, we would miss the struggle of seedlings, the burgeoning of buds. If flowers never decayed they never reach the fullness of potential and new flowers would never see the sun.

Each breathtaking tableau of Adela’s story is punctuated with a series of plant diagrams from seed to sprout. Blossom to decay. A constant remainder that no matter how picturesque, this story will end